Ex-Gay: An Overview of a Movement

In 1973, The American Psychiatric Association deleted homosexuality from its Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-II). This single act laid the foundation for a new wave of Christian fundamentalism. When secular America failed to fix its sexual brokenness, devoted Christians stepped in to mend the tear in society’s moral fabric. There was freedom from homosexuality through God; homosexuals need only be shown the way. The advent of the ‘ex-gay’ movement has and continues to be a point of contention for many Americans. The movement, as a whole, is illustrative of the often tragic collision between religion and sexuality. This presentation seeks to inform audience members of the general nature of the movement including a historical perspective informed by survivor testimonials.